House and business owners receive their annual rates bills

11 April 2018

THIS week households and businesses in the Newry, Mourne and Down area will receive their rates bills for 2018/19.

Land and Property Services (LPS), part of the Department of Finance, are issuing the bills for the period 2018-19, which will include any debt from previous years, along with any rate relief where applicable.

In February, Newry Mourne and Down Council agreed to increase the district rate of 2.66 per cent.

An LPS spokesman said: “There are currently 77,018 ratepayers in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area and through their payment of rates the much needed provision of a number of public services are ensured. This money is invested in vital public services locally and across Northern Ireland ranging from healthcare, education and roads to local services including recreational facilities, bin collection, building control, tourism and local events.’’

Currently 59 per cent of bills are paid by direct debit, allowing rate payers to spread the cost over 10 months.

As in previous years, there are many other ways to pay, including online via www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates, at any Post Office or Appoint outlet using the ‘Rates Quick Pay Card,’ by phone or in person at an LPS Customer Information Centre.

For domestic ratepayers, there is a four per cent discount if they pay their bill in full on or before the discount date of May 11.

There are also a range of reliefs and entitlements available to help with payment. More information is available at www.nidirect.gov.uk/rates

Legislation recently brought forward at Westminster implemented a 4.5 per cent rise in the regional domestic rate. However, business or non-domestic rate bills will rise only in line with inflation by 1.5 per cent.

Following the Secretary of State’s statement on March 8, Small Business Rate Relief has now been continued for the 2018/19 rating year and will automatically be applied to eligible non-domestic rate accounts.

The District Rate Subsidy Scheme continues to apply to ratepayers whose rates increased significantly with the merger of some councils in April 2015. This is the final year of the scheme, with the reduction now at 20 per cent. The reduction is automatically applied and shown on bills to those who are eligible.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chief executive Liam Hannaway, said: “Rates funding allows Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to progress with its ongoing commitments to provide high quality public services, facilities, key projects and programmes for our ratepayers, from waste collection and local economic development to provision of local sport and leisure facilities.

“Key projects for this year include £2.1m for Warrenpoint to upgrade lighting, pavements, signage and planting, and a similar scheme will be carried out in Downpatrick, with work beginning in the summer of 2018. Newry will benefit from £860,000, and a further £100,000 will be dedicated to the Cathedral Corridor.

“The Council will also be undertaking improvements to its Canal area, with restoration work making the towpath more accessible. In addition we will be progressing the new civic centre for Newry, which will provide much needed facilities for art and culture and we will continue to implement our ambitious vision for improving public services through our new Community Plan.”

Residents who have information on their bill which they believe to be incorrect, whose circumstances have changed, have trouble paying their rates, or have not received a bill, are asked to contact LPS on 0300 200 7801.

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